Best DIY Plant Humidifier Ideas for Indoor Plants

This post shares the Best diy plant humidifier Ideas for Indoor Plants and contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

The first step to creating a DIY plant humidifier is to find out which plants will do well in a humid environment long term. If you have lots of plants this can take quite a bit of research to figure out the relative humidity preferences of each species.

Some plants like air plants or the spider plant thrive in high humidity while others such as the ZZ plant are susceptible to fungal diseases so be sure to know what your plants need before choosing one of these easy plant humidifiers. 

Understanding the specific relative humidity requirements of your plant collection will guide you in selecting the best ways to choose a homemade humidifier for your plants. 

diy plant humidifier

DIY Plant Humidifier: Pebble Tray

The Pebble Tray method is a wonderful DIY solution to boost humidity for your plants, and its simplicity makes it quite popular among plant enthusiasts.

All you need is a shallow tray, plant saucer, or dish filled with water, and on top of the pebbles, place your plant. As the water slowly evaporates, it creates a humid microclimate around your plants, providing them with the perfect environment to flourish.

Just be sure to use a water-tight tray. 

This cost-effective method is an easy way to ensure your indoor greenery stays happy and healthy, basking in the ideal humidity levels they crave.

While it may require making multiple trays to cater to your entire plant collection, the effort is well worth it, especially if you have a diverse array of plants with varying humidity needs. By tailoring the humidity tray to specific plants, you can effectively meet each one’s individual requirements and optimize their growth and health.

This approach is particularly great for rooms in your home that could use a little extra humidity but also house some plants that prefer drier air or lower humidity levels.

For instance, your living room might be home to a tropical plant that craves higher humidity, while a desert cactus sits happily on the windowsill, appreciating the drier conditions.

With the Pebble Tray method, you can maintain a harmonious environment that caters to all your green friends.

Another advantage of this DIY humidifier is its cost-effectiveness. It doesn’t require any expensive equipment, and you can use items readily available at home or at your local garden store.

Plus, it’s a low-maintenance option. Just make sure to use clean pebbles and monitor the water level in the trays regularly and refill them as needed to keep the humidity levels consistent for best results.

diy plant humidifier

DIY Plant Humidifier: Spray Bottle

One of the easiest ways to provide some extra moisture to your beloved plants is by using a spray bottle. Just a light mist on the leaves, roots, and soil can make them feel like they’re in their own little tropical paradise. 

To increase the efficacy of this method try placing plants in a high moisture area such as behind a bathroom door or by the kitchen sink near a drying rack.

These spots naturally have higher relative humidity levels, and when combined with the pebble plant tray, your plants will receive an extra boost of moisture, creating an even more favorable environment for their growth and well-being.

If you’ve got a bunch of humidity-loving plants in your collection, this spray bottle method could be a game-changer! It’s like bringing a mini rainforest to your indoor garden.

So, go ahead and give your green buddies a refreshing mist, just be mindful of the ones that prefer drier conditions. Keeping the balance will keep your plants happy and healthy, thriving in the perfect amount of humidity!

Although this is one of the best ways to replace a room humidifier there is a small caveat to keep in mind.

Some plants might not be big fans of the misty treatment and could develop fungal diseases at the base of the plant. It’s always a good idea to have drainage holes in the pot to prevent your plant from sitting in water. 

So, make sure you only mist plants that enjoy a more humid environment. 

diy plant humidifier

Diy Plant Humidifier Idea: Dome on Top of Plants

If you’re on the lookout for a simple and creative way to up the humidity game for your beloved green buddies, one of the best methods is creating a DIY Humidity Dome!

It’s a budget-friendly alternative to those fancy hard containers and works like a charm. No rocket science here – just follow the same idea as a humidity chamber, but an easy way to add a little extra moisture. 

Here’s the deal though, when making your own DIY humidity dome, make sure those precious leaves are clear of the plastic sides. It’s not a good idea to let water droplets hang around, this can cause fungal and bacterial troubles. 

And here’s a pro tip: Even though the humidity dome works like magic, give your plant some breathing room too. Let in some fresh air every other day to keep the gas exchange going smoothly.

Your plant will be happier than ever, basking in a balanced environment with just the right amount of humidity.

So, grab a clear plastic bag big enough to cover your plant, put a little love and care into it, and bam! You’ve got yourself the perfect DIY Humidity Dome. Your tropical plants will thank you, and you’ll have a flourishing indoor garden right in your cozy space.

No need to worry about costly humidifiers – just some plastic and passion, and you’re all set for green goodness!

diy plant humidifier

DIY Plant Humidifier: Bowl of Water

Want an effortless and effective way to make a DIY humidifier for your plants? One of my favorite easy ways is to use a simple bowl of water!

All you gotta do is grab a shallow dish or shallow tray, fill it with water, and place it near your beloved green pals to increase indoor humidity levels. As the water slowly evaporates into the surrounding air, boosting humidity levels by up to 5%, but here’s the catch – it only covers a small area around the bowl. 

One thing to remember, if you’re going to give this method a try, make sure to clean and refill the bowl or pot of water regularly. 

But hey, in smaller spaces and for individual plants, this bowl of water hack is a lifesaver! It’s super easy, and you don’t need any fancy tools or essential oils. Just a dish, some water, and a little TLC for your plant pals.

Keep an eye on those humidity levels, and your indoor garden will thank you with vibrant, happy leaves. So, give it a shot and see the magic of raising moisture levels unfold right in your living room or kitchen with something as simple as a few bowls of water in a low humidity environment. 

DIY Humidity Chamber

Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds! A humidity chamber is just a fancy way of saying you enclose your plants in a moist environment. It’s perfect for tropical plants that love high humidity. You can create your own chamber easily.

Get a clear plastic container that’s big enough for your plant(s), with some space between the leaves and the sides. It should seal but not be airtight to allow air circulation. Place open cups of water or a glass bowl of water inside the chamber with your plant.

Close the container and put it in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent overheating your potted plant.

If you want to speed things up, mist your plant and container before sealing to get as much humidity out of this homemade humidifier as possible. 

DIY Plant Humidifier: Fish Tank

A fantastic DIY humidifier idea that’ll have your moisture-loving plants thriving with enough humidity is as simple as creating your own humidifier from a fish tank.

Consider repurposing a reptile enclosure, fish tank, or fish tank cabinet into a lush and thriving terrarium for your potted plants. It’s like giving them their own little paradise!

Now, if DIY isn’t your thing, fret not! You can still get your hands on terrariums for an extra cost, like these terrariums on Amazon. They create the perfect high-humidity environment your house plants crave, bringing out the best in them.

When using a fish tank or a reptile enclosure, make sure you choose one with clear perspex or thick glass to hold water. However, if you’re simply replicating tropical vibes for your plants, lighter and cheaper plastic sheets will do the trick just fine.

Get creative with some Ikea hacks too! Transform a glass cabinet into an indoor greenhouse complete with grow lights for an extra touch of plant-loving magic.

Keeping your plants in these DIY terrariums will make humidity a common problem of the past. The enclosed space helps to maintain a higher humidity level, especially beneficial for tropical indoor plants that adore moisture. 

diy plant humidifier

Increasing Humidity by Grouping Plants

Plants can be their own DIY humidifier through a process called stomata, indoor plants release water vapor from their leaves, creating a self-made humid environment.

This DIY method works wonders, particularly during the winter months or in homes with central heating systems that tend to dry out the indoor air. It serves as an excellent solution to counteract the damage caused by heat sources.

Place plants together, with several at a time, you can enhance this effect even more. Their combined evaporation creates a mini greenhouse-like environment, just like the tropical conditions that some plants love.

It’s a fantastic way to add that much-needed moisture to keep your tropical houseplants happy and thriving in their own little indoor greenhouse. 

This natural humidifying technique is one of the simplest and quickest ways to boost humidity in your immediate space which makes it the best solution if you want something quick.

Although this may take some time to arrange your plants in a visually appealing way, the good news is that it won’t cost you a thing. 

DIY Macrame Plant Holder

Essential Oil Diffuser

If you don’t want to get creative and make a DIY plant humidifier, another great way to boost humidity without having to buy a large machine is to use an essential oil diffuser. These affordable devices do not take up much space like commercial humidifiers and are pretty easy to use.

While these aren’t the best humidifiers because they don’t put out much moisture, they can improve dry air and may be the best choice if you would rather a machine handle the moisture problem. 

Using an essential oil diffuser as a plant humidifier can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase humidity, especially in small spaces or large rooms where traditional humidifiers might not be practical.

They are essentially just a small version of cool mist humidifiers so if you need a warm mist humidifier with a heating system, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

With the essential oil diffuser, you can maintain a long-term solution for providing much-needed moisture to your plants in areas that have a lack of humidity.

The humidifying process is gentle, reducing the risk of root rot, and helps keep the leaves of your plants healthy, preventing leaf tips from drying out.

Remember to use distilled water in the diffuser to avoid any mineral buildup that might affect its performance. 

how much to water snake plant

Helpful Guides on Watering Plants

If you’re curious about perfecting your watering game beyond a DIY plant humidifier, check out these posts.

Learn how to keep your Snake Plant thriving with the right watering routine, ensuring it stays happy and healthy. Check out our post on “How Much to Water Snake Plant” to become a pro at caring for this popular houseplant.

And if you’re a cactus lover, you know how important it is to water them just right to avoid overwatering disasters. Our guide on “How Often to Water Cactus” will give you all the tips you need to keep these prickly beauties thriving.

Have you ever wondered how to propagate your Wandering Jew Plant successfully? We’ve got the answers! Our post on “Propagating Wandering Jew Plant” will show you step-by-step methods to expand your plant collection with ease.

Dealing with pesky Fungus Gnats? Don’t let them spoil your plant party! Learn how to get rid of these annoying pests with our helpful tips in the “Fungus Gnats: How to Deal with Them” post.

And last but not least, if you have an Aloe Plant and struggle to figure out when it needs watering, our guide on “How to Tell if Aloe Needs Water” will be your lifesaver.

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Melissa Dixon - the Hobby Wife

As an avid gardener, dedicated homemaker, and culinary enthusiast, I bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to every aspect of homemaking, recipes, travel, and gardening. My journey is deeply rooted in a love for nature, food, and exploration, which I share through my engaging content.

With years of experience cultivating a vibrant garden and crafting delicious recipes, I specialize in creating farm-to-table homestyle dishes that highlight the freshest ingredients. My culinary creations are inspired by my extensive travels, allowing me to infuse a variety of flavors from my travels into my kitchen.

Through my blog, I aim to inspire others with practical gardening tips, mouth-watering recipes, and unique travel experiences. Whether you're looking for garden-to-plate cooking ideas, copycat recipes, or advice on homemaking, I provide a trusted source of information and inspiration.

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